AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy -- The 31st Fighter Wing Safety Office offers a few guidelines for Team Aviano's homes and vehicles during the upcoming winter months to help decrease the chance of mishaps.
"We provide these guidelines to help prevent mishaps among military and civilians at Aviano," said Lia Scandola, 31st FW occupational safety specialist. "We need our members to be safe [in order] to conduct the mission successfully."
The need for extra precautions and preparations is necessary as temperatures continue to drop.
Safety at home
Special attention must be paid at home to prevent mishaps and damage to personal property.
- Ensure the chimney was recently cleaned.
- Ensure there is proper air circulation to prevent accumulation of carbon monoxide and radon gas.
- Do not heat the home with a gas range or oven.
- Never run vehicles inside an attached garage.
- Do not overload electrical outlets. Outlets may warm up and melt.
Vehicular safety
Vehicular safety does not mean only taking care of cars. It includes being prepared for emergencies and practicing safe driving to protect pedestrians and other drivers.
- Check vehicle fluids, battery, tires, wiper blades and exterior lights.
- When traveling, include safety items such as a first aid kit, blanket and flashlight.
- Keep snow chains in the vehicle when driving on mountain roads.
- If you are unable to winterize your vehicle, take it to a mechanic. A few extra euros can help save a lot of money in the long run.
- Shorter days are part of the winter season. Drivers must remain vigilant for pedestrians.
- Falling leaves, rain and fog can obscure a driver's vision. Be aware of visibility limitations and slow down.
Individual safety
Trips to the emergency room can be avoided when taking preventative measures to help prevent bodily harm.
- Sprinkle rock salt, cat litter or sand to keep external walkways clear of ice and snow to prevent slips and falls.
- Always wear the appropriate shoes and clothing.
- If participating in winter sports, receive proper training ahead of time.
- If hiking, never go alone and always stay on marked trails.
Scandola recommends members get into the mindset of "mission first, safety always" to make necessary risk assessments before, during and after all activities.
"People overlook safety until mishaps happen, and then it's too late," said Scandola. "If you're not thinking about safety you can get injured or even die."
For more information on safety procedures, contact the 31st FW Safety Office at 632-8240.